Announcements for the week of August 06, 2017

Posted on August 4, 2017

Coffee Hour is an informal, drinks-only, time set up in the FH foyer, in advance of the start of the Summer Series dinner.

SUMMER SERIES OF SERVICE AND SOCIALS. Sunday is our final afternoon of the Summer Series will be from Noon-3. We will enjoy a grill potluck as we prepare for the school year to start up again. Fun for all ages.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES. Want to lead an adult Sunday School class? The Board of Christian Education is looking for people to lead short-term (one- to eight-week) Sunday morning discussion groups starting in September.

Adult Sunday School is a key part of our commitment at First United to lively, engaging study and discussion as an aspect of progressive Christian witness. Adult Sunday School classes meet for an hour before church, from 9:30 to 10:30. The “flagship” is the Lectionary Class, which meets year-round at 9:30 Sunday mornings in Room 6 to discuss that Sunday’s Bible readings. Each year the Board of Christion Education also schedules a series of short-term classes and discussion groups that meet at the same time, so people can have choices. Recent examples: a four-week hymn-writing class led by our Music Director, Vini Frizzo, and a six-week comparative discussion of violence in the Bible and the Koran, led by Moureen Coulter. First United Spiritual Director Dawna Petersen has led several short-term classes on spiritual development and centering prayer. The short-term groups and classes are often discussions focusing on a book, as was Moureen’s.

(N.B.: Derek Roe leads the Lectionary class, which currently alternates every other week in Room 6 with a class/discussion called Sacred Conversation on Race, also led by Derek. Regarding the short-term classes, Derek assures us that he’s delighted to have competition and just wishes he could be in two places at once.)

You don’t by any means need to be a staff member to lead a class. Whatever your gifts or interests, if you have ideas for a short-term Adult Sunday School class, and/or would like to lead one, please contact Dave Edgerton by email (davidcedgerton@aol.com), or talk to Dave or Christian Education Chair Hopi Stosberg at church.

FRIDAYS AT FIRST UNITED

Play Friday: The next Play Friday is August 11. Celebrate the start of school by joining us for pizza dinner and games. There will be several game and craft options available so kids have plenty to choose from after a busy week starting school. Play Friday is a recurring event on the second Friday of each month from 6:00-8:00 p.m. This is a family friendly event open to all ages. Please extend this invitation to your friends and family. The more the merrier! It helps with food planning if you RSVP to Hopi Stosberg at hopi@stosberg.com. See you there!

Just Friday: Just Friday is a recurring adult justice related discussion group on 4th Fridays from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in Roger Williams Hall. From May-August our justice discussions will be focused on climate change.

Each month will focus on different aspects of climate change and how the things we do contribute to or help improve the problem. Discussion will revolve around how we can change and create change in the world to positively impact this issue. Our next Just Friday is August 25 with the theme Climate Change and the Stuff We Own?

Light refreshments will be served, there is no childcare for Just Friday. Contact Hopi Stosberg at hopi@stosberg.com if you have any questions.

DISCIPLE Bible Study. First United Church will be offering a DISCIPLE Bible study class beginning this fall. DISCIPLE is a program of disciplined Bible study aimed at developing strong Christian leaders.

DISCIPLE gives the Hebrew and Christian Testaments equal time, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as a revelation of God. DISCIPLE draws upon the work of scholars, the personal Bible reading and study by the participant, and dynamic group discussion to aid understanding of the Bible. The 2 hour class meets Tuesday evenings September through May with winter and spring breaks. Participants should expect to study approximately 30 minutes daily and will need a study manual and a study Bible. Past participants are welcome to repeat the class as you bring new experience to the table.

The titles of the sessions along with theme words and theme verses, and major persons, events, and topics will set the sequence of the biblical story in the minds of the participants. The principal Scripture for each session follows the chronological movement of the biblical story.